Improvement in grain and grass harvesters



UNITED STATESl lPATENT OFFICES,

WILLIAM sonNEBLY AND THOMAS SoHNEBLY, OF New YORK; N. Y. I

IMPROVEMENT |N GRAIN AND GRASS HARVESTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 10,326, dated December 20, 1853;

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM SCHNEBLY and THOMAS SCHNEBLY, of the city ot New York, and State of New York, have invented Improvements in Reaping and Mowing Machines; and we dohereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had tothe accompanyingdrawings and letters of reference marked thereon.

()ur improvements consist, first, in changing the gearing from that of bevel-wheels to that of spur-whcels, and placing the main driving wheel and other gearing in advance of the cutters,instead of being behind, as in our original patent; secondly, by producing the action or motion of the cutters with two spur-wheels and twopinionsonly,onepinion Workingon theoutside of the frame on the end of the main shaft or otherwise with an adjustablev crank-pin, and the other pinion on the inside tif the frame; thirdly, in the use of a perpendicular shaft standing on the cutter-bar, with an adjustable arm and a fixed arm standing at right angles to each other, by which we can readily change the machine from that of a reaper to that of a mower; fourthly, in bringing the drivingwheel in close proximity to the end of thecutter-bar by using a perpendicular adjustable stancheon-iron, to which it is fastened, which enables us to clear the way for themain wheel in the next round when mowing much more readily, and leaving no mowed grass between the wheel and the first cutter, which cannot be accomplished so successively when the distance is as great as it is in other mowing-machines, as this duty is performed by an inclined board at the extreme outer end of the cutter-bar, which throws the cut grass inward as the machineadvances, also preventing the clogging of the machine and diminishing the side draft, as the resistance is closer to the fulcrum or main wheel; fifth, in placing a roller at the end of the cutter-bar in an enlarged guard or linger to support the weight of the cutter-bar, either'in reaping or mowing, which greatly relieves the heavy drag which is eX- perienced withoutit. Other rollers have been used in other machines, but not for this purpose at the end of the cutter-bar. Si'Xthly, in being able to convert the machine into amower from that of a reaper by detaching'the'platform and lowering the perpendicular stanchiou-iron by simply withdrawinga few bolts; seventhly, in the method of constructing our the platform, which enables us to deposit the grain on the ground inthe best manner for binding; tenthly, in the use of an adjustable seat located on the top of the trame, supporting the reel-shaft at one end, and affording a comfortable and safe seat for the driver;

eleventh,in the use of an inclined hoard standing on the end of the enlarged guard or finger at the end ofthe cutter-bar and resting against a perl'ie'ndicularron the platform at the other end, which is designed tocover the roller, and to act, in combination with aseries ofinclined planes on the platform behind or underit, to give direction to thefalling grain, permitting the rake to get a clean Vsweep in starting from that sideof the platform; lastly,

in being able to attach a comfortable seat in the rear of the platform supported by two rollers below, so that in case of any accident to the self-acting rake a man may occupy it to perform that duty without any unnatural physical effort.v

We now proceed to give a full and perfect .description of the method of constructing our improved reaping and mowing machine, which is admitted .to be the mostsubstantial and useful machine now in the field, for the benefit of the public.

Fig. 1 represents a perspective view.

A A represent the fram'e,of suitable mate-y rial, sufficient-ly deep to bring the spur wheels and pinions in gear whenthe shaft of the main wheel is placed at the bottom and the shalt of the other spur-wheel and pinion is placedjon the upper edge of the same.

B represents the main driving-wheel, which runs on the ground inside of the frame A A.

C is the first spur-wheel, located on the shaft v with B, also between or inside of the frame.

D is the rst pinion above, gearing int-othewheel C, also inside of the frame.

'E is the second spur-wheel, on the, same shaft with pinion D at the top of the frame, and rotates on the outside of the trame A A.

F is the second pinion, located on the end of'the main shaft below, on the outside of the frame, and gears into the spur-wheel E above. This pinion F may be located at any other point, it' necessary, so as to keep in the range ofthe spur-wheel into which it gears. The diameters ofthe spur-wheels and pinions are so proportioned as to give from twenty-five to thirty-five revolutions of the pinion F while thewheelontheground makesoneturn. Thus by four wheels only heilig spur-gearing we pro- Lduce the motions ofthe cutters and other parts ofthe machine, which isentirely different from all other machines which have come to our knowledge. The pinion F on the main shaft has an adjustabIecrank-pin, F". This is made in the most mechanical manner. We have a flange, F, cast on the side of the pinion F, sufficiently large to enable us to attach a movable plate, which is fixed at one end on a center, the other end having a hole by which it is bolted to the holes in the tlange F, which are described from the same center, and consequently correspond. This adjustable crankpin FX may be made to pass to either side of the center of the pinion F, and may bc used to increase or diminish the length ofthe lateral motion ofthe cutters, as in practice we found that grain did not require as much motion as grass, which makes this a very important arrangement. The pinion F is confined on the end of the shaft by a recessed washer screwed fast to the enti ofthe shaft, allowing` sufficient space not to crowd the pinion.

G is a horizontal connecting-rod, jointed in such manner yas to adapt it to the duty performed. Said rod is connected at one end to the adjustable crank-pin FX and at the other end tothe adjustable arm H, which is placed on the perpendicular shaft I. Said shaft I has a rocking motion given to it instead ofa rotary motion, and stands with its lower end on the cutter bar or plate, which covers it, and is supported at the top by an attachment to the stanchion-iron at J. By a series of holes in the perpendicular rocking shaft I the arm H is always kept in a proper position by a bolt maintaining a straight-line motion of the counectmgrod G. When the cutter-bar is raised or lowered for grain or grass cutting, the arm H is confined or secured to the shaft I by a set-screw or its equivalent. K is another arm, permanently fixed on the lower end of the shaft I at right angles to the arm H above.

Kx is a straight-line connecting-rod, which 'unites the cutters Kx X with the arm K. This arrangement is entirely different from all the reaping and mowing machines exhibited at the great fair in October last-viz., Hazzys, Forebushs,Katchums,Maurys,Athims,Bur rells, McUormicks, &c.as all have bevelgcar and many ot' them oblique rods working not in a straight line with the cutters, producing a great cross-strain to all the parts, which we have entirely obviated. In our original and late pa-tents we made our guards or fingers in two parts, which were riveted together, and holes drilled in them to confine them to the cuttenbar. We now form our hollow guards or fingers Jx X of triangular shape, from one piece, without any drilling, and instead ot' screwing them fast to the cutter-bar we recess the bar forthe parallel back parts of the fingers and cover them wholly or in part by a plate which is secured fast to the cutterbar. Thus the whole series of hollow guards J X X, ot' triangular shape, are confined securely at much less expense and trouble. We place our fingers closer to each other" than in all the rest of the machines, for the purpose of employing a greater number of cutters and to divide the duty between them, instead of imposing so much on a less number ofcutters,which in practice is a great economy of power required to work the machine. By placing our fingers nearer together we can reduce the lateral motion ofour cutters and not pass them through entirely from the center ot' one to the center of the other, as is usually done in all other machines,which prevents the disposition to clog thejngers with particles of grass, grain,

Ste., and gives us a very great advantage in lodged grass or grain, or under any other circumstance, as in our arrangement we only throw the edge of our cutters into the slots ou one side of our hollow triangular guard or finger Jx X and not all the way through.

Fig. 3 represents the hollow triangularguard or finger JW in a reversed position, being detached, the parallel parts behind being recessed into the cutter-bar and secured as described, except the enlarged one J3, at the end ofthe cutter-bar,which is bolted fast, and con-- tains the roller x. Said enlarged guard or finger has parts raised upon either side, with a series of holes to permit the raising and lowerin g ofthe cutter-bar. We also continue the flanges of this guard J3 far enough back to connect it to the platform, which secures it to the cutter-bar on that side.

J is a collar to support the upper end ofthe shaft I.

JX is a perpendicular adjustable stanchioniron, havinga series of holes, by which it is bolted fast to the frame A A, and by which we are permitted to raise or lower it for grain or grass purposes. At the lower end of said perpendicular adjustable stanchion-'iron J a corresponding piece is formed at right angles, to which we secure the cutter-bar by means of bolts 6 6.

L is a plate, wholly or in partcovering the cutterbar and parallel parts ofthe ngers J x X, and confining them substantially to the bar.

LX is a brace bolted to the cutter-bar, having a series of holes in the end next to the frame A A to permit the bar and cutters to be raised or lowered at pleasure, the brace L always maintaining its relative position either in reaping or mowing.

Kx x is the double-edged cutter, and may be made of one piece or of parts, and worked into the slots of the hollowtriangular guards or figures, as in our late patent. The| platformA'for receiving tliecut grainis madeofa framecovered with light boards or otherwise, from live to six feet wide. The platform Al is connected with thecntter-bar on the side next to the frame A A by means of a plate and bolts securing it. and on the other side b y the enlarged guard J3 in rear ofthe roller m B y this arrangement we can readily conveit the machineirom a reaper to a mower by displacing the,plat form and parts not necessary for mowing. At the rear end ofthe platiorm we raise a guardboard, MX, to prevent the grain'from slipping o" as the machine is` progressing. The rear end of the platform is supported by means of two adjustable rollers, l. x MX x, which have suitable contri'vances with a seriesof holes` in them to permit us to lower or raise i-t at pleasure. The rollers MX X MX x are nitide t-o work in self-adjusting levers,N4 N4,on aceiiter whit-h is h'xed on the under side of the platform, per initting the machine to turn or guide freelyas the front of the platform is supported by the groiind-wheel B and the roller w .fr at the end of the cutter-bar. 0n the side ofthe platform next to the enlarged guard J3 we raise up another guard-board, M3, sufficiently high t0 answer the purpose required, in rear of the roller .r x,and as a cover to it; and, for the purpose of giving direction to the grain as it is falling on the platform, we place an inclined board, Z, which has tlielower end pointed and standing on the point ofthe enlarged guard J3, the other end of which rests against the upright 3-the inner edge oflliis board Z in combination with a series ot' inclined rods, 5 5 5, one end of each being made fast to the platform and the other ends to the guard-board M3. Upright 3 and the board Z serve the purpose of causing the cut grain to fall in such manner as to permit the rake R to perform its duty with more success in discharging it from the platform. This plan gives the rake an opportunity to get behind the grain on the platform and to make a clean sweep as it passes over the platform.

When the machine is used for mowing grass, the roller x :i: is retained, which. supports the cutter-bar and relieves the machine from the heavy drag and side draft which is experieiiced in other mowing-machines without it. The board G, or its equivalent, can be used when mowing to throw the cut grass partially in windrow, if it be set up on its edge and inclined inward and fastened to the end of the cutter-bar or enlarged guard J 3, so as to clear a space for the main wheel B in going the next round, and prevent the cnt grass from clogging the machine; also, as the perpeiidicular stanchion-iron JX nrings the lii'st cutter or iinger in close proximity to the main groundwheel B, leaving only a narrow space to be cleared. We here gain a great advantage over other machines, as the resistance is brought nearer to the fulcrum Bl By this method we also bring the machine into a more compact and durable form, all of which points are very desirable. The reel-brace n is bolted behind to tbeguard-board M3. This reelbrace n is made adj ustable,and can be raised or lowered,

.advanced or drawn back, as tliecase may be,

and issnpported on the npright3 by means of abolt. Said brace n is used to support the outer end of the reelshaft o, while the other end of said sha-ft is supported by the adjustableV and movable seat P P, which is arranged with iron fixtures-two on each side. (Seen in the drawings and model.) These iron x ing the reel at any required position, which' rests on 'the top ofthe trame A A, and which also affords a safeand comfortable seat forthe driver. We use the common reel, made as light aspossible, and revolves as fast as the' ground-wheel.

Px is an accommodation seat, and, in coinbination with the rollers MXX Mx", may` be used to convey a visitor to witness the operation, or may be used in case of any break of the self-acting valve, giving the man an easy and natural position. Many kinds of seats havel been used by others, but we claim this lseat in its peculiar combination with the platform supported by adjustable rollers, which is diiierent from all other fixtures which we have Onv seen intended as seats in other machines. the rearof the platform we attach suitable stancliion-irons, P3, which are to support guide-v rods 2 2, laid parallel to each other above the top edge ofthe guard-board M", and used to guide the self-actiiig rake.

lt is a selfacting rake, with a series of jointed lingers, 4 4 4, which scrape the grain from the platform and deposit it in sheaves on the side ot' tlie machineor platform ready tor binding. The rake R, with its jointed lingers 4 4 4, may have a regular and continuons motion produced by a crank, as shown in the pulley T in Fig. 2, or may have an irregular motion, being at rest fora period and thenquickly moved, which can be eliected by various mechanical contrivances when required. We have also thought of a planto raise the rake up in its passage to the side ot' the niachine next to the standing grain, so as to clear the falling cut grain entirely, then drop down and scrape it ot'; but as the present plan is simple and good we have not applied it. The lingers 4 4 4 are so jointed that when they return back to the inclined rods 55 5 and board Z they bend up and slide over the grain lyu ing o'n the platform, and when they get back to their extreme distance of motion, and within the range ofthe inclined rods 5 5 5 and boardv Z, they then drop `down into a perpendicular .position by their own weight, and in their pas- In Fig. 2, which gives another perspective, we have represented other parts more clearly. T is a pulley on the end of the main shaft on the outside ofthe frame A A. From this pulley we communicate motion to the reel by'a belt, 9, running over a pulley,T", above on the end of the reel-shaft o. We also communicate motion to the valve from this'pulley T. This end of the reel-shaft is supported by the adjustable seat P P, and is arranged with a series of holes in the perpendiculars or back of the seat P P, that we can raise or lower the reel-shaft or move it forward or back on the top of the frame A A, with the movable seat. This arrangement would enable us to dispense with the support a-t the other end-that is, the brace n-it we desired to do so, as the uprights on the seat P P are so wide apart as to afford sufficient bearing to the reel alone, having the pulley 'also on the outside of the bearings or journals, in combination with the brace n at the other end, and give it any desirable position. In the pulley T a crank-pin is iixed, or its equivalent, from which the motion is communicated to the rake by means ot' a connecting-rod, c c, so constructed as to perform its ofce with joints playing perpendicularly and horizontally. w is a perpendicular shaft located on the outside ot the frame A A. Near the end toward the platform on this perpendicular shaft we have an arm or lever, wx, which is connected with the rod c c. At the top of the shatt w we have a longr lever or arm, w, which stands at right angles with the arm wx below. At the end ot' the lever wx* we connect the rod 5, which also connects with the rake lt, and thus by the revolution of the pulleyT (or crank) or grooved Wheel, which is not represented on the main shaft, WeV give motion to the rake, &c. By this arrangement we gain a great advantage, as we have thrown a portion of the resistance on the other side ot' the frame A A and fulcrum B, which equalizes the side draft and reduces the power necessary to propel the machine and keeping everything in a compact form. On the front end of the frame we have an iron, Z', which receives the tongue by which the machine is drawn or guided. yThis piece Z is bolted ou the seat P P, the gearing, and cutters, whichf make one of the most substantial and effectual mowers, capable of doing work with less distress to horses and driver than in any way heretofore practiced.

What we claim, and desire to secure as our improvement, is-

1. The method ot` arranging the gear, in combinatiou with the movable plate to which the crank-pin Fx is fastened, said movable plate being located on the flange F of the second pinion, by which method we can increase or diminish the lateral distance of the motion ot' the cutters, substantially as described.

2. The method of constructing the'hollow guard-lingers, each one being a single piece only, substantially as described.

3. The self-acting rake with jointed fingers, in combination with the guide-rods upon which it is made to slide back and forth, substantially as described.

WM. SCHNEBLY.

THOS. SCHNEBLY. Witnesses JoHN SoANLEr'r, i EDMUND M. EVANS, 

